AAP

The federal government has rejected claims made by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson that his Australian visa application is being delayed for political reasons.

Mr Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, had criticised the government in a letter published by the Los Angeles Times, saying he was being forced to jump through "bureaucratic hoops" during the visa process.

The Canadian-born activist, who holds a US passport, had hoped to enter Australia on a tourist visa to help launch a campaign in December aimed at pestering Japanese ships seeking minke whales.

He wrote that he was denied even though such visas are "routinely" approved.

Mr Watson is now having to provide police checks from Norway, Canada and the US since his visit is considered a short-term business trip.

But an immigration department spokesman says there is nothing sinister behind such a move.

"Our standard procedure is to follow-up certain matters disclosed to the department in a visa application, and that's what is occurring," the spokesman said in a statement on Friday night.

"Though Mr Watson may have previously visited Australia as a tourist, the visa required for that type of visit is quite different to that for a short-term business visit, which is what is required for his forthcoming trip.

"This is a matter being handled by the department in a manner no different to the standard procedures in place for the processing of millions of visa applications each year."

A decision is expected on Mr Watson's visa in the coming days.